BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Ezgjan Alioski of Leeds United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Whites win leaves Bolton trottering on – report and action

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Ezgjan Alioski of Leeds United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Leeds United at Villa Park on December 23, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Leeds United vs Bolton Wanderers, it was one of those ‘must win’ games for the Whites. It was the cliched ‘side near the top’ facing a ‘side near the bottom’ match-ups.

In an opening paragraph of clichés, the main one that Leeds United fans were concerned with has to be the ‘must win’ status of the game. By doing so, the three points would keep United running at the same pace as those around them, namely Sheffield United and Norwich City.

The game – a report

It was a spring day, and Whites fans were looking for their side to have a spring in their step. It was Bolton who sprang first, a Callum Connolly cross being met by a Josh Magennis header. However, Kiko Casilla was equally impressive, a reaction save turning the ball over the bar.

Leeds had a couple of chances before a rare as hen’s teeth penalty was earned when Tyler Roberts’ run into the area was halted by Pawel Olkowski’s trip. Up stepped Patrick Bamford, slotting the ball home with aplomb.

Bare moments later, Bolton were level; Leeds United being undone by another set piece. A free header was cleared off the line by Jack Harrison, but Mark Beevers prodded in from close range.

Bolton continued to threaten but Leeds United upped the pace and began to gain more of a foothold in the game. The chances started to come for the home side Whites, Bolton being pegged back by waves of Leeds United attacks. Yet, the opening half ended at 1-1.

Leeds started on the front foot in the second half, continuing to press forward and continuing to create chances. Pablo Hernandez was at the heart of all that was good for the Whites, his probing and passing a delight to behold.

It was Leeds who took the lead, courtesy of Gjanni Alioski. It was a goal born out of fortuity, a cross that was misjudged by Bolton keeper Remi Matthews. Alioski pumped the ball into the box, it went over Matthews’ head and bounced in off the underside of the bar. But, they all count.

A touchline fracas, inflamed by Mateusz Klich ‘watering’ a Bolton player saw Phil Parkinson trotting off to the stands with a red card brandished. Leeds continued to press, there were half-chances still evident, but the game was petering out and those chances proved to be fruitless as the game ended in three valuable points for Leeds United.

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